HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4656, by Representatives D. Schmidt, Van Luven, Appelwick, Robertson, L. Thomas, Radcliff, Smith, Bush, D. Sommers, Honeyford, Ballasiotes, Zellinsky, K. Schmidt, Delvin, Mitchell, Lisk, Benson, Thompson, Mielke, Chandler, Cairnes, Linville, Grant, Kessler, Hatfield, Dickerson, Chopp, Constantine, Ogden, Cooper, Veloria, Tokuda, Romero, Wolfe, Dunshee, Butler, Cody, Doumit, Gombosky, Anderson, McMorris, Huff, Hankins, Conway, Backlund and Cooke

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus has been the Mariners' announcer since the club's first game in 1977; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus was present during key moments in Mariners history, including:  The first pitch from Diego Segui in 1977; no-hitters by Randy Johnson and Chris Bosio; Ken Griffey Jr.'s eight home-run streak; and the Mariners' first playoff game in 1995, and their victory over the New York Yankees in the Division Playoffs; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus, during his twenty seasons behind the microphone for the Mariners, has missed only thirty-nine games, witnessing three thousand seventy-nine of the three thousand one hundred eighteen games played; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus is recognized as one of the best and most exciting broadcasters in the game of baseball; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus was elected by his contemporaries in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association as the Sportscaster of the Year for the state of Washington in 1995 and 1996; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus' expressions, such as "My Oh My" and "It will fly away," have become familiar throughout the Northwest; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus' descriptions of games have helped many fans to feel closer to the game; and

      WHEREAS, Dave Niehaus is the number one ambassador of the game of baseball across the Northwest;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Dave Niehaus for his contribution to the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Dave Niehaus.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4656 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 8, 1997.

                 ________________________________

                  Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk